Beverage making machine



Sgpt. 10,- 1935. GRILLI BEVERAGE MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26-, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Sept.-10, 1935. I l. GRlLLi 2,614,325

- I BEVERAGE MAKING MACHINE Filed Feb. 26, 1952 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept. 10, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application February 26, 1932, Serial No. 595,397 In Italy March 12, 1931 10 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in machines for making beverages, and its objects are as follows:-

First, to provide a beverage making machine,

especially for making coffee, in which the operations of grinding and measuring out cofiee, the delivery of the hot water and the final cleansing of all parts are performed automatically by a combination of electromechanical devices which are set in operation by a manual switch and kept in operation by an automatic switch for a selected period as hereinafter fully brought out.

Second, to provide a beverage making machine having facilities for the thorough and final cleansing operation of the apparatus after a period of use.

Third, to provide a bank of valves and a cam drum, certain cams of which periodically operate the valves so as to deliver water and steam to the apparatus in time for carrying out the various purposes of making the infusion,- cleansing the filter and flushing out a particular infusion chamber, others of the cams of said drums controlling certain electrical devices from which power for the operation of the machine itself and for the operation of a certain coffee grinding motor is derived.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following specification, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings in which Figure l is a vertical section of the machine, parts being shown in elevation.

Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken substan-' tially on the line 22 of Figure '1, particularly illustrating the 8-shaped rotary member.

Figure 3 is a partially sectional and elevational view taken at 90 from the vertical plane of Figure 1, a diagram of the electrical system being attached thereto.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the box or casing in which the foregoing rotary member is operable.

Figure 5 is afractional sectional view similar to Figure 1, showing a modified form of the sealing rings.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a fractional sectional view taken at 90 from the vertical plane of Figure 5.

Figure 8 is a horizontal section taken on the line 8--8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a detail cross line 9-9 of Figure 2.

Figure 10 is a side elevation of the bank of wasection taken on the ter and steam valves as well as of the cam d um...

the housing of the valve bank being shown in section.

Figure 11 is a sectional view of one of the valves.

Figures 12 to 17 are a series of sections taken 5' on the lines l2-l2 to I'|l1 of Figure 10, this series illustrating the shape of each cam as well as the position thereof when the rotary member is in the resting or infusion-making position in Figure l.

Figure 18- is a sectional view of the filter cleaning valve and its associated structure.

In carrying out the invention provision is made of a box or casing, generally designated l, which is circular in cross section (Fig. 2) and contains a rotary member 2. This member is of a substantial 8-shape (Fig. 2). It comprises a central hub 3 which is aifixed to an upright shaft 4 in any suitable manner.

This shaft passes through the top of the casing, 20 and its exposed end carries a so-called Maltese cross 5 which is one element of a gear train that is capable of imparting intermittent quarterturns to the shaft 4, consequently to the member 2. The gear train is completed by a large gear 6 (Fig. 3) mounted on the shaft 1 of an electric motor 8. The shaft also carries a cam drum 9, the cams of which are described later.

Reverting to the upright shaft 4,,the top of the box lis equipped with a packing gland Ill (Figs. 1 and 4) for the purpose of making a fluidtight joint. The removable bottom I I of the easing carries a step bearing l2 by'which the lower end of the shaft 4 is supported. The bottom II is solid throughout with the exception of a perforated zone or filter l3 (Fig. 1) and a grounds discharge opening later described. This zone is of circular formation. The perforations may either be directly in the bottom II, as shown,or the bottom may have a circular hole large enough 40 to receive a screen.

In size the zone 13 will substantially match the chambers. l4, IS in the rounded extremities I6 which connect with the hub 3 and constitute the 8-shaped rotary member 2. It is into each of these chambers that the ground cofiee is first discharged and then the hot water, the identical operation being repeated with respect to each chamber. The purpose of the two chambers is to speed the operation of the machine. Consider the chamber I4 (Fig. 1). This is in a waiting position beneath a funnel l1 situated above the top of the casing l but having com-- munication with the interior. A pipe l8 leads fr m a coffee mill 19 to the funnel [1, so as to discharge the ground coffee immediately into the funnel and from there into the chamber I4. The funnel hangs from the pipe I8 in a suspended position above the chamber I4 (or I5); and since the diameter of the pipe is less than the top diameter of the funnel, atmospheric air can enter the funnel. The funnel is smaller than and spaced from the opening in the top of the casing to permit the escape of vapor from the casing. The mill I9 is operable by an electric motor 20(Fig.- 3). The mill includes a hopper 2| from which the unground coffee is supplied.

Assume the chamber I5 (Fig. 1) to have been filled with ground coffee while said chamber was in the position of I4. The chamber I 5 is now ready to be charged with hot water and steam, which elements are delivered'by a pipe 22. This pipe enters the casing I through its top at a point opposite to the perforated zone I3. The pipe 22 has branches 23, 24 which connect with hot water and steam valves 25, 23 respectively. These valves are now opened alternately so as to discharge hot water and steam through the pipe 22 and into the chamber I5. The infusion thus prepared flows through a spout 21 (Fig. 1) into a waiting receptacle, as for example a cup.

- Situated 90 from the porforated zone I3 in the clockwise direction is a refusepipe 23 (Fig. 2),

which has communication with the interior of thecasing I through an opening 29 in the bottom II. The pipe 28 is for the purpose of carrying oi! the grounds after the coffee making operation is completed. To carry out this purpose it is necessary that the rotary member 2 be given ana other quarter-turn, and this is accomplished by the gear train 5, 8. The member 2 having moved into the proper position, the grounds will drop into the pipe 28. The ejection of the grounds is augmented by a stream of hot water which is delivered byway of a scavenging pipe 30 (Figs. 3, 4

' and 9). This pipe leads from a scavenging water valve 3i to an opening in the top of the casing over' the opening 29. After the chamber I I is washed out and the grounds have been washed down the refuse pipe 23, the chamber I! will be in condition to receive a fresh charge of ground cofl'ee when it returns to position beneath the funnel I'I.

Consider the chamber II as-still being over the opening 23 and the scavenging water as being discharged thereto. At the same time that this happens a jet of steam is delivered to the well 32 (Fig. l) for thepurpose of cleaning the perm-- rated zone or filter I3. The steam projects against the-under face of the filter, and in expanding in the interior of the casing I traverses the small holes and so does the cleaning.

Steam for this purpose is delivered to the well 32 by a pipe 33 (Fig. 18). The inner end of this pipe hasa head 34. The head occupies a chamber 35 with the top of which the well 32 communicates through an oriilce 33. and with the bottom of which the spout 21 has a free communication as shown.

Normally the head 34 stands at one side of the orifice 38 so that there is free passage for the coifee infusion through the chamber 3i tothe spout 21. But upon the introduction of steam into the pipe 33, the lattermakes a slight movement to the right (Fig. 18), driving the head 34 to the right end of the chamber 35, closing oil the entrance to the spout 21 and discharging its jet through anopening 31 into the well 32 by way of the orifice 36. The steam pipe 33 will (in' ter.

close the openings of the funnel I1 and pipe 22, 5

especially the opening of the funnel II, the rotary member 2 is provided with circular or otherwise shaped plates 38, 39 (Fig. 2). Thesewill underlie the foregoing openings in the top of the casing I and prevent the escape of steam particularlyinto the funnel I'I. Should there be a small amount of residual steam in the casing I said steam will make its escape through the space below the bottom of the funnel I! after the member 2 makes a further turn from the position now in contemplation, and thereby prevent m0isture from reaching the funnel and-pipe and so keeping each dry.

Arms 4I (Fig. 9) extending from the hub 3 at right angles to the extremities I6, carry the spindles 42 of the plates 38, 39. The spindles are loose in openings in the arms. A spring 43 situated between each arm and the respective plate keeps said plate forced up against the ceiling of the casing I so as to make an effective closure for the two openings. I

In order to adequately seclude the chambers I4, I5 from the casing I the rounded extremities I6 are provided with packing rings 44. These are set in circular grooves 45 in the top and bottom of the extremities IS in concentric relationship to the chambers I4, IS. The grooves are connected by a series of holes 46 (Fig. 2). These are occupied by springs 41 (Fig. 1) which press outwardly in opposite directions against the rings and so keep the rings in frictional contact with the ceiling and bottom of the casing I.

At the end of a period of use of the machine a cook 43 (Fig. 4) atom -side ofthe casing I is opened to admit water for the thorough flushing oi' the interior. The cock may be permanently connected with a source of water, either hot or cold, or it may be equipped with a nipple to which a hose is attachable.

The flushing of the casing I is accomplished by letting the water run. in and at the same time set the rotary member 2 in operation. The packing rings 44, in rubbing against the ceiling and bottom of the casing, loosen any adhering matcular canals are important in that they aid largely inkeeping the inside of the casing clean. The steam which passes through the filter I3 for its cleansing condenses on the inside of the casing and dampens the bottom II. The moisture is gradually worked toward the canals and any stray particles of coffee are also worked toward the canals during turning of the rotary member where they are'discharged. The accumulation of a deposit is thus avoided and clogging of the rotary member prevented. Whenoperating the rotary member 2 in the foregoing manner the circuit of the motor 20 must be held open in any convenient manner so that the coffee mill I9 will not be permitted to operate.

Earlier reference has been made to supplying the pipe 33 (Fig. 18) with steam. The influx of Allthis is flushed out at the opening 29. 50

tained by a housing 5| which is fixedly supported in any suitable manner in a position opposite to the cam drum 9.- All of the valves are alike, and the description of the uppermost one 3| will suflice for all. 1 1

The valve 3| comprises a casing with a substantially central fluid chamberv 52 (Fig. 11). This chamber has communication with a fluid pipe 53 which in this case is a hot water supply pipe.

,This same pipe extends down and supplies the valve 25 (Fig. 10). The valve member=54 (Fig. 11) is kept engaged with its seat by a spring 55,

and when the stem 56 is depressed the valve member 54 disengages its seat and permits the flow of scavenging water to the pipe 30.

The same principle prevails in the valves 26, 56. These control the flow of steamto the pipes 22, 33 which is supplied by a steam supply pipe 51. The pipes 53, 51 extend to an appropriate boiler.

The depression of the valve stem 56 (Fig. 11) leads to a consideration as to how this and the similar stems of the remaining valves are operated. The cam drum 9, mentioned before, has a series of cams 58, 56, 66, 6|, 62 and 63. The

shapes of these cams are shown in Figures 12 to 1'7. Here said cams stand in the positions which they assume with respect to the various valve stems at the instant the rotary member 2 reaches the position in Figure 2 and stops in that position.

Considering the series of cams from top to bottom, cam 63 controls the stem 56 of the scavenging water valve 3|; cam 66 controls the switch 64 I (Fig. 3) of the coffee mill motor 26; cam 58 controls the stem of the hot water valve 25; cam 59 controls the stem of the steam valve 26; cam 6| controls the auxiliary main switch 65 (Fig. 3), and cam 62 controls the stem of the steam valve 56.

The switch 64 is embraced by an electrical circuit which comprises the feed wire 66, wires 61, 68, 66, 16 and II, the latter connecting with the return feed wire 12. Closure of the switch 64 will energize the motor 26 as will readily be seen by tracing the foregoing wires.

In order to start the machine in operation it is necessary to close the main switch I3. A circuit embracing the motor 8 is then closed .as follows:-- Feed wire 66, wires 61, I4, I5, I6 and II,

the latter joining the return feed wire I2.

Shortly after the shaft 1 has started to turn the auxiliary main switch is automatically closed whereupon the following circuit is completed: Feed wire 66, wires 61, I8, I9, I6 and 11, the latter joining the return feed wire I2. The switch 65 includes a movable member 86 which is adapted to enter the recess 8| of the cam 6| (Fig. I6). When the member is in the recess the switch 65 is open. The foregoing starting of the shaft turns the cam 6| and causes the right end of the member 86 to ride upon the periphery of the cam. This closes the switch 65 and keeps it closed for the duration of a revolution. The motor 8 is thus automatically kept in operation, and it is not necessary for the operator to manually keep the main switch I3 closed.

A signal 82 is connected in a shunt circuit 83 which derives current from part of the circuit involving the wires I8, 19. The signal 82 may comprise a lamp which remains lighted as long as the machine is in operation. When the latter has ceased the light goes out.

Attention is now directed to Figures 5 and 6. The chambers I4, l5 are now formed. in a drum 2' of cylindrical configuration (Fig. 6), which is a rotary member as much so as is the 8-shaped member in Figure 1.

Hot water is introduced into the casing I through a hollow cap 67, the diameter of which is greater than that of the chambers I4, I5. The

cap has an annular groove 68 which contains a packing ring 86 supported by the springs 66. Said ring serves to seal the drum 2, especially around the two chambers I4, IS". A pipe 22 leads from the cap 61 to .valves which are the equivalents of 25 and 26 in Figure 10. The mechanism in Figure 5 is otherwise identical with that earlier disclosed, and the structures of Figures 1 and 3 are intended to read in connection with Figures 5 and 7 for a full understanding of the modification. I

The operation is readily understood. The ma-. chine is' started by closing the main switch I3 (Fig. 3). This is done by hand. The closure of the switch energizes the motor 8. This motor embodies a speed reducing set which is contained by a casing 84 (Fig. 3) below the motor housing. The R. P. M. of the motor is approximately 800, but the gear reducing set cuts the rate of rotation of the shaft I to onerevolution per half minute. The cam drum 9 therefore rotates one revolution per half minute inasmuch as it is directly carried by the shaft I. A complete cycle of functions occurs in the foregoing half minute.

The rotary member 2 (Fig 1) moves intermittently in the clockwise direction (arrow 85, Fig. 2). Its movements are measured in quarterturns. The cofiee chamber I5 is brought into position over the filter well 32 as the last of a prior step of operation. The movement occurred from a position in the counter-clockwise direction (Fig. 2) as the result of the step motion of the gear train 5, 6 (Fig. 3). The chamber l5 was filled with ground coffee as part of the earlier operation, At this particular time the chamber M (Fig. 2) is empty.

Consider the series of cams on the drum 6 (Figs. 10 and 12 to 1'7). At this moment these are beginning a counterclockwise revolution (arrow 86, Fig. 12) The stems of the various valves 3|, 25, 26 and 56 (Fig. 10) bear on the cams at the right as shown only in the instance of the stem 56 of thevalve 3| in the cam series (Figs. 12, etc.)

The cam 6| (Fig. 16) will be the first to act. This immediately displaces the movable member 86 of the auxiliary main switch 65 (Fig. 3) closes that switch and keeps it closed for the duration of the revolution.

- Next to act is the cam 66 (Fig. 3). This closes the switch 66 of the circuit in which the coffee mill motor 20 is located. The energization of the motor 26 causes the mill I6 to grind out a quantity of coffee which is delivered to the erstwhile empty chamber I4 by way of the pipe l6 and funnel II (Fig. 1). The extent of grinding, hence the amount of ground coffee delivered, is governed by the length of the cam 66.

The cam 58 (Fig. 14) acts approximately at the same time that the cam 66 acts. This will open the valve 25 (Fig. 10) for the discharge of hot water into the branch 23. This is conducted to,

the chamber I5 by way of the pipe 22. The cam 56 (Fig. 15) acts immediately thereafter. This opens valve 26 (Fig. 10) so that steam is discharged into the chamber I5 by way of the pipe 22 the instant after the discharge of hot water water and steam valves 25, 26 so that hot water and steam are injected into the chamber Ii in alternation. The infusion thus prepared passes throiigh the perforated zone or filter l8 into the well 32 and so out of the spout 21 into the waitchamber 15 now containing only coffee grounds,

comes over the opening 29 of the refuse pipe 28. The freshly filled chamber M then takes the position now occupied by the plate 38 (Fig. 2). The plates 38, 39 come into position beneath the pipe 22 and the funnel l1.

Nowgo back to thecams 62, 63. These open the steam valve 50 and hot water valve 3| (Fig. 10). slightly longer than the cam 83 does its TBSDGC? tive valve 3|. The opening of the valve 3| delivers hot water by way of the pipe to the chamber i5, flushing out the coffee grounds into the refuse pipe 28. The valve 50 delivers steam by way of the pipe 33 to the well 32, thereby cleansing the filter l3. The vapor entering the interior of the casing l is prevented from escaping at the funnel i'l into the pipe I8 by the plate 39 then in position as already described.

With respect to the admission of steam into the pipe 33, it has been explained that in practice this pipe will be arranged so that it will be subject to a slight movement when the pressure reaches the head to move toward the right in the chamber and bring the opening 31 beneath the orifice 36. It is here that the steam discharges into the well 32 to cleanse the filter as described.

Another quarter turn of the rotary member 2 occurs between the completion of the functions of the cams 62, 63 and the return to its ultimate position of the recess 8| of the cam 6| (Fig. 16). This return permits the movable member 80 (Fig. 3) to drop into the recess and thus stop the machine, whereupon the signal 82 becomes dormant. But in the foregoing quarter turn of the member 2 the chamber i4 is brought into the position now occupied by the chamber l5 (Fig. 1) and vice versa. The chamber l5 contains fresh coffee in readiness for the making of the next infusion.

I claim:

1. A beverage making machine comprising a casing having a filter in its bottom flush with the plane of the bottom on the inside of the casing, a member in the casing having a chamber to register with the filter, means for then discharging water into the chamber, an exhaust spout for receiving the resulting beverage, a steam pressure-displaceable valve situated between the filter and spout normally in position to enable passage of the beverage to the spout, and means to introduce steam into the valve and move it for closing oil? passage and to discharge some of the steam against the underside of the filter.

2. A beverage making machine comprising a casing having a scavenging pipe entering its top and a discharge opening in its bottom, a rotary member situated in the casing having a chamber to receive coffee and being registrable withsaid pipe and opening, and inclined channels in the inner surface of the bottom of the casing, communicating with said opening.

The cam 62 holds the steam valve 50 open her which is registrable with the opening for the discharge of coffee grounds through the opena ing, means by which to introduce water into the casingv for the flushing thereof while rotating said member, and channels in the inner surface of. the bottom of the casing being in communication with the opening to carry off solid-coffee par- 10 ticles.

4. In a beverage making machine, a casing having 'a. filter from which coffee grounds are adapted to be washed after an infusion-making operation, a well beneath the filter through which s the infusion is adapted to flow, and means to deliver steam intothe well after the infusion has flowed-01!, to project against the under face of the filter and expand in the interior of the cas- 5. In a beverage making machine, a casing having a filter and a refuse pipe in spaced position, a rotary member in the casing having at least one, infusion chamber to contain ground coffee and receive hot water, means to move the 25 member so as to register the chamber first with the filter and then with the refuse pipe respectively'to make the cofiee infusion and to discharge the grounds, and means to discharge steam against the nether side of the filter after 30 the making of the coffee infusion, said member and its chamber then being out of the way to let the steam traverse'the filter holes and expand in the casing and so clean the filter.

6. In a beverage making machine, a. casing 35 having at least one charging opening, for example for the introduction of ground cofiee, a. rotary member within the casing having at least one infusion chamber periodically registrable with the opening to receive the coffee and then 40 movable to another position whereat to make the infusion, a separate. plate traveling with said member and fitting over the opening when the chamber is in the infusion-making positIonLand a spring to press the plate against the casing 45 so as to seal the opening. 1

7. In a. beverage making machine, a casing having at least one charging opening, for example for the introductiomof ground coffee, a rotary member within the casing having at least 50 one infusion chamber periodically registrable with the opening to receive the coffee and thereafter to assume a position of non-registration whereat an infusion is made, an arm carried by said member, a separate plate movably canied 55 by the arm and covering the opening when said chamber is in the non-registering position, and a spring operating between the arm and plate to press the plate tightly against the casing to make a seal around the opening.

8. In a beverage making machine, a cam drum having cams, an electrical motor for rotating the cam drum, a casing, a. rotary member in the easing, saidmember having at least one infusion chamber, means by which said member is also 85 rotated by the motor, an electrical circuit embracing means for supplying the chamber with coffee and having a switch closable by one of the cams during rotation of the drum to produce a charge of coffee for the chamber, and a hot 70 fluid supply having a valve operable by another one of the cams later in the rotation of the drum to charge the chamber with hot fluid.

9. In a beverage making machine, a rotary member having an infusion chamber, a casing 75 containing said member and having at least one charging opening with which the chamber is registrable to receive ground cofiee, means by which to introduce steam into the casing after an infusion-making operation, and a pipe to deliver ground coffee to the chamber at said opening, the end of the pipe being spaced from the casing at, said opening to prevent the steam from entering the pipe.

10. In a beverage making machine, a casing having a bottom with a refuse opening, and a rotary member operable in the-chamber over the bottom and havingan infusion chamber to which ground coffee is deliverable, said bottom having annular canals respectively near the center of the casing and close to the margin, by which canal moisture and stray particles of co!- fee are receivable to prevent an accumulation on said bottom, said bottom also having channels connecting the canals with said refuse opening.

vIGINIO GRILLI. 

